Thursday, 11 November 2010

Omens: Australia v England at the Gabba

Stat time and a look at the recent history of Ashes matches at the Gabba, traditional venue for the first test of the series. Hmmm...a thoroughly woeful time for the tourists...

Much has been made of the first ball of the last Ashes series in Australia in 2006. There were high hopes that Harmison could repeat his aggressive bowling of the 2005 series and put Australia immediately on the back foot. There were concerns that instead his wayward, erratic delivieries could seriously hinder England's chances. And it was the concerns rather than the hopes that were realised as he flung that first ball straight into captain Flintoff's big mitts at second slip. A wide and then some. Only one ball but the trend had been set and we all know the endless capitulations that ensued for England. A 5-0 drubbing at the hands of some of the finest players to grace the game.

Then we can go back to 2002 and yet another disastrous day for the poms. Not only did Ponting and Hayden rack up centuries as Australia lost only two wickets on day one, but also it was the scene of Simon Jones' horrific knee injury. Again there was that traditional sinking feeling. Eyebrows raised too about Nasser Hussain's decision to send the Aussies in after winning the toss.

In 1986 Gatting won the toss, chose to bat, and then saw his Botham inspired team go on to win not only the match but the series. Bat first here and England might not only win the game but the urn into the bargain. Too simplistic maybe but Strauss will surely put the pads on if the coin falls the right way for him this time out. Batting first seems to work for the Aussies. They have batted first for the last 4 Ashes matches at the ground and they have been able to declare their second innings each time, such has been their dominance.

The last time England managed to avoid defeat in Brisbane was 1998. Didn't bat first but Mark Butcher scored a century, reinforcing how crucial it is that your top six are in good nick.

If we go back even further the importance of this first test is even more striking. Since the Second World War the Gabba has hosted the first test in every series aside from 1982, when Perth was the first venue and Brisbane the second. In this period the only team to win at the Gabba and fail to win the series was Australia in 1954. Despite a thumping, innings victory in the first test it was England who took the ultimate spoils 3-1.

In a total of 16 Ashes encounters at the Gabba from 1946 to the present day, England have won a grand total of 2 tests, in 1978 and 1986, and managed to draw a further 4. 10 wins for the men in the baggy green caps? History is certainly against Strauss' men.

So that's a brief look back into the archives. Let's back that up with some Gabba only stats since that last England success:

Last England win: 1986Last time England batted first: 1990Last England centurion: Mark Butcher, 1998Last time England player took 5-fer: Alan Mullaly, 1998Australia total runs in this period: 3827England total runs in this period: 2816

Australia win by 10 wicketsToss: Australia who fieldEngland 194 and 114Australia 152 and 157-0End of day one score: Australia 16-0 (England all out on day one)Centurions - 05-fers - AldermanSeries: Australia 3-0

About Me

Sports mad, particularly when it comes to cricket, rugby and football.
Teams I follow:
England (and Wales, and Scotland and Ireland, not to mention South Africa) cricket, Glamorgan, Wales rugby, British and Irish Lions rugby, Tottenham Hotspur, Swansea City.
So the Ashes for England, Grand Slam for Wales, Champions League for Spurs and Swansea into the top flight and I'll be happy.